Positive tactics work a treat on Tara
“We had to make a decision whether to be positive or drop in fourth or fifth”, revealed trainer, Paul Nolan. “Davy and I decided we were better off being positive and it has worked out.”
Clan Tara made just about all the running, but The Bishop Looney ranged up as a big danger in the straight.
There wasn’t much between them at the last, but Clan Tara kept pulling it out and was a hard fought neck to the good at the line.
Said Nolan: “He won’t go to Cheltenham and we will aim at Fairyhouse and Punchestown, as long as the ground is suitable. Chasing will be his game next season.”
Quiscover Fontaine went off favourite, but was a big drifter in the ring. He performed accordingly, never promising to get in a blow and trailing home in ninth place. The five-year-old was subsequently found to be clinically abnormal.
If Russell was good on Clan Tara then he was even better aboard Michael O’Brien’s Just Friends in the Holy Cross Maiden Hurdle.
Very disappointing at Navan, Just Friends made all the running, with Russell kicking away heading to the fourth last.
Heavily-backed Tawaagg did close him down somewhat, but Russell had saved enough and Just Friends scored comfortably in the end.
“I have no major plans, but he does seem to want to go right-handed”, commented O’Brien.
Willie Mullins nominated a possible tilt at the Aintree Grand National for the much improved Irish Invader, following his success in the Cashel Chase.
Beautifully handled by Paul Townend, Irish Invader made every yard of the running to beat Carthalawn by four and a half lengths.
Carthalawn was backed from 5-4 to 4-5, but was simply outstayed by the winner from the second last.
“Paul gave him a super ride”, said Mullins of Irish Invader. “He took the initiative and the horse jumped from fence to fence.
“I am going to give serious thought to the National at Aintree, he could be the ideal candidiate for that.”
Mullins and Townend completed a double when the impressive Jessies Dream took the Thurles Racecourse Maiden Hurdle with any amount in hand.
The ex-pointer led from the start and proceeded to run his rivals ragged, surviving a sloppy leap at the last to win by eight lengths.
“He will go for a novice hurdle and I won’t be afraid to step him up in trip”, reported Mullins. “He will have another run and then head for Fairyhouse at Easter.”
The utterly frustrating Judge Roy Bean was again a costly failure. He was struggling in fourth spot when falling three from home.
“They’re (winners) scarce lads”, quipped Michael Hourigan, after El Jo had given him a welcome turn in the Ballycahill Beginners Chase.
Island Wood led coming away from the third last, but El Jo was soon challenging and was always just about getting the best of the battle on the flat under a powerful Paul Carberry drive.
“This fellow has been a shade unlucky and should have won more than he has”, said Hourigan. “He’s best fresh and you won’t see him again until St Patrick’s Day.”
Rock Diplomat, 11-10 to 4-7, was backed as if defeat was out of the question. The wagers went west, however, when he fell at the seventh.
“I haven’t had a winner since January 1”, said a clearly relieved Charlie Swan, after his One To Many had taken the Bumper.
Pushed ahead approaching the turn in by Nina Carberry, One To Many buckled down well to beat Kilflora by two and a half lengths.
“He’s a nice horse, who wouldn’t want the ground too deep”, said Swan. “He will run in a Graded hurdle at Fairyhouse and if getting beaten will be a novice for next season.”
Christy Roche’s Tooman Lane, who had been threatening to get off the mark of late, put it together in the Prime Beef Handicap Hurdle.
Alan Crowe missed the ride, stood down for seven days after taking a fall at Downpatrick on Wednesday, but Ian McCarthy was a more than able deputy.
Tooman Lane edged ahead before the home turn, finding enough from the last to resist the persistent Kylebeg Krystle.
Eoin McCarthy, who partnered Boleybawn Quikstar in this contest, was found guilty of using his whip with excessive force and frequency and was suspended for four days.
Bookmakers had a real result in the opening Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares Beginners Chase, after it appeared as if there was no way out for them going to the final fence.
Second favourite, Here Comes Sally, rose to the obstacle just in front of market-leader, Cru, but both horses hit the deck, leaving the way clear for 12-1 shot Seepeeoh to score.
